New season potatoes are in shops now. Photo: 123rf
New Zealand shoppers can expect a cornucopia of produce this week.
The so-called "Minister of Fruit and Veg" Glenn Forsyth said growers were pleased people had been snapping up an early glut of tomatoes.
"When prices plummet, and retailers play ball, nothing makes growers happier than watching people buy and eat more to soak up the volume and prevent the price falling even further."
Vegetable best buys
New season potatoes to boil or steam include Jersey Benne, Agria and Ilam Hardy.
There is early buttercup arriving from the Far North, as well as kamo kamo.
Early brown onions are in shops now, and are lighter in colour at the moment.
Green beans from New Zealand are expected to arrive this week.
Pukekohe garlic is coming into season, and kumura is still a good buy.
Telegraph cucumbers are being sold for as low as $2, and eggplant, asparagus, capsicum and courgettes are all in good supply.
Cabbage, spinach, lettuce, silverbeet and Chinese greens are all available too.
Sweet corn is underway in the Far North, and will be arriving further south in a couple of weeks.
Fruit
First Up's Nathan Rarere complained about the cost of a punnet of raspberries, at around $9 in his local supermarket.
That demand would hold until Christmas, Forsyth said.
Strawberries and blueberries are doing well in the warm weather, and imported Australian melons are available. There are reports from some growers that New Zealand watermelons are ripening earlier this year.
"Enjoy USA grapes and pomegranates for now," he adds.
Don't forget avocados and gold kiwifruit, either.
New Zealand stone fruit are coming on, with cherries and apricots appearing in shops.
"With cherries, we have both Hawke's Bay and Marlborough in production, with Central Otago knocking on the door."
And the fruit of the week?
"She's a beauty: blackberries.
"It is showing great growth in New Zealand... and these are ready to eat raw now, as well as to cook with."
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